Social Psychology and Discourse

A unique and creative textbook that introduces the 'discursive
turn' to a new generation of students, Social Psychology and
Discourse summarizes and evaluates the current state-of-the-art
in social psychology. Using the explanatory framework found in
typical texts, it provides unparallel coverage on Discourse
Analytic Psychology in a format that is immediately familiar to
undergraduate readers.

A timely overview of the breadth and depth of discourse
research, ideal for undergraduates and also a great resource for
postgraduate research students embarking on a discursive
project

No other text offers the same range of coverage - from the core
topics of social cognition, attitudes, prejudice and relationships
to lesser known areas such as small group phenomena

Includes a host of student-friendly features such as chapter
outlines, key terms, a glossary, activity questions, classic
studies and further reading

“There can be no doubt that it will resonate deeply with
social psychologists (students and scholars alike). More
importantly perhaps, it will serve linguists, literary scholars and
sociologists as a convenient springboard for future
interdisciplinary studies on discourse.” (Discourse
and Communication, 1 November 2012)

"This introductory book provides exciting and innovative
examples of the research currently being conducted at the
intersection of social psychology and discourse . . . this is where
the innovation of this book lies: it succeeds in clearly and
directly focusing readers' attention on the contributions of
discursive research to understanding our social life." (Discourse
Studies, 2011)

"This unique new introduction to social psychology adopts the
explanatory framework typical of experimental social psychology
texts and, using a completely original approach, applies this
framework to discourse analysis in psychology. Drawing on a range
of examples from international research, Andrew McKinlay and Chris
McVittie provide thorough yet accessible coverage of theory,
methodology and current debates." (The Psychologist, August
2008)

"McKinlay and McVittie have neatly integrated many social
psychology topics with discourse without reducing discourse to a
simplistic, flavourless methodology. It is thus an impressive
achievement that they have been able to address this complexity in
a clear and engaging manner… As a teaching text, the book
promises to be an extremely valuable addition to any social
psychology course." (Social Psychological Review, March
2009)

“The text is user-friendly: since students may not be
familiar with the terminology of discourse, the authors have taken
special care to list key terms at the beginning of each chapter and
also to define them on the page where they first occur. The book is
rich … .The authors make a strong case for the importance of
discourse, and even some broadminded adherents of quantitative
social psychology might be persuaded that it offers a valuable
complement to 'tough-minded' social psychology. The authors have
done an admirable job in presenting a massive number of studies in
a clear and often lively manner. They have also demonstrated the
existence of an impressive amount of discursive work done on a wide
range of topics.” (Metapsychology, December 2008)

"This is an extraordinarily detailed introduction with by far
the richest, and most up to date review of discourse research
relevant for social psychologists. Although dealing with issues
that are of particular interest to social psychologists, such as
identity, groups or attitudes, the book provides a detailed review
of a vast number of studies in discourse analysis, and hence is
also relevant for students in discourse analysis, linguistics,
cognitive psychology and the social sciences. This book offers both
the student newcomer to the field, as well as the experienced
scholar in other directions of social psychology, a persuasive set
of arguments and examples in favor of a discourse analytical basis
for social psychology, and a new view of empirical evidence."
Teun A. van Dijk, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain.

"This is an outstandingly clear introduction and overview of how
discursive research can contribute to social psychology. In
contrast to other texts, the book is organized around central
social psychological topics. This, together with the international
perspective, the clear structure of each chapter, the many
examples, and the descriptions of classic studies, makes the text
highly accessible and attractive to a broad audience. It is one of
the best written books on discourse and social psychology and ideal
for students, teachers and researchers. I would highly recommend
the book as an invaluable resource to anyone who is interested in
what discursive research has to offer to social psychology and to
our understanding of the social world." Maykel Verkuyten,
Utrecht University, The Netherlands.

"This is an impressive achievement: an overview of psychological
approaches to discourse analysis and discursive approaches to
social psychological phenomena that is accessible and even-handed.
In their scholarly and elegantly written text, McKinlay and
McVittie detail the positive contribution that discursive research
has made to the core topics of social psychology, including self
and identity, group processes, attraction and relationships,
attitudes and prejudice. In so doing, they re-position discursive
approaches from the critical margins into the very mainstream of
social psychology. This superb text is positively brimming with
useful information, and should be recommended reading for every
undergraduate course in social psychology." Susan Condor,
Lancaster University, UK.

"This is an excellent textbook. It provides an authoritative
introduction to basic strands of discourse research, including
discourse analysis, conversation analysis, discursive psychology,
membership categorization analysis and critical discourse analysis
that is both comprehensive and unpretentious. The sometimes complex
tensions between perspectives are usefully highlighted without
bogging the text down in unnecessary detail and there is an
interesting chapter overviewing some of the key debates that
surround discourse work. The books is organized in a way that
brings a fresh perspective to a series of fundamental notions
within social psychology such as identities, groups and
relationships as well as offering a new approach to applied topics
such as aggression, health, and legal issues. It comes with useful
exercises and boxes that summarize key findings and overview
classic studies. Its coverage of a complex interdisciplinary field
is commendable and, as a textbook, it stands as a complete
alternative perspective on social psychology that covers the main
issues but in a novel interaction-focused way. Overall, it is
clear, engaging and up to date; I will use it in my teaching."
Jonathan Potter, Loughborough Unversity, UK

"This is an extraordinarily detailed introduction with by far the
richest, and most up to date review of discourse research relevant
for social psychologists. Although dealing with issues that are of
particular interest to social psychologists, such as identity,
groups or attitudes, the book provides a detailed review of a vast
number of studies in discourse analysis, and hence is also relevant
for students in discourse analysis, linguistics, cognitive
psychology and the social sciences. This book offers both the
student newcomer to the field, as well as the experienced scholar
in other directions of social psychology, a persuasive set of
arguments and examples in favor of a discourse analytical basis for
social psychology, and a new view of empirical evidence."
–Teun A. van Dijk, Universitat Pompeu Fabra,
Spain.

"This is an outstandingly clear introduction and overview of how
discursive research can contribute to social psychology. In
contrast to other texts, the book is organized around central
social psychological topics. This, together with the international
perspective, the clear structure of each chapter, the many
examples, and the descriptions of classic studies, makes the text
highly accessible and attractive to a broad audience. It is one of
the best written books on discourse and social psychology and ideal
for students, teachers and researchers. I would highly recommend
the book as an invaluable resource to anyone who is interested in
what discursive research has to offer to social psychology and to
our understanding of the social world."
–Maykel Verkuyten, Utrecht University, The
Netherlands.

"This is an impressive achievement: an overview of psychological
approaches to discourse analysis and discursive approaches to
social psychological phenomena that is accessible and even-handed.
In their scholarly and elegantly written text, McKinlay and
McVittie detail the positive contribution that discursive research
has made to the core topics of social psychology, including self
and identity, group processes, attraction and relationships,
attitudes and prejudice. In so doing, they re-position discursive
approaches from the critical margins into the very mainstream of
social psychology. This superb text is positively brimming with
useful information, and should be recommended reading for every
undergraduate course in social psychology."–Susan Condor, Lancaster University, UK.

"This is an excellent textbook. It provides an authoritative
introduction to basic strands of discourse research, including
discourse analysis, conversation analysis, discursive psychology,
membership categorization analysis and critical discourse analysis
that is both comprehensive and unpretentious. The sometimes complex
tensions between perspectives are usefully highlighted without
bogging the text down in unnecessary detail and there is an
interesting chapter overviewing some of the key debates that
surround discourse work. The books is organized in a way that
brings a fresh perspective to a series of fundamental notions
within social psychology such as identities, groups and
relationships as well as offering a new approach to applied topics
such as aggression, health, and legal issues. It comes with useful
exercises and boxes that summarize key findings and overview
classic studies. Its coverage of a complex interdisciplinary field
is commendable and, as a textbook, it stands as a complete
alternative perspective on social psychology that covers the main
issues but in a novel interaction-focused way. Overall, it is
clear, engaging and up to date; I will use it in my
teaching."
–Jonathan Potter, Loughborough Unversity, UK

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